Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti – Combining Forces
Two horological worlds collide in a breathtaking collaboration that defies convention: BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti. The legendary Italian jeweller and Swiss watchmaker BVLGARI, renowned for its Serpenti motif and mastery of elegance, joins forces once again with MB&F, the boundary-pushing creators of kinetic horological sculptures. The result? A mesmerizing timepiece that reinterprets one of BVLGARI’s most iconic designs through the avant-garde lens of MB&F’s mechanical artistry.
A Serpentine Evolution
The creative spark for this extraordinary collaboration ignited through a serendipitous encounter between Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, BVLGARI’s director of watchmaking creation, and Maximilian Büsser, MB&F’s founder and creative director. Their shared vision previously materialized in 2021 with the MB&F x BVLGARI LM FlyingT Allegra, a fusion of MB&F’s Legacy Machine with BVLGARI’s jewelry aesthetics. This time, the duo set their sights on an even more ambitious project: reimagining BVLGARI’s Serpenti, an emblem of eternal rebirth and metamorphosis, into a radical Horological Machine.
An Architectural Masterpiece
Transforming the fluid elegance of the Serpenti into a three-dimensional, mechanical beast was no small feat. The case alone posed formidable challenges in both design and engineering. With hundreds of sketches and dozens of 3D-printed prototypes, the designers meticulously sculpted a complex, curvaceous case that would house MB&F’s intricate movement. Unlike conventional round cases, this shape introduced unprecedented technical demands, particularly in the machining and assembly of its five sapphire crystals, including a striking multi-faceted rear section. Ensuring a 30-meter water resistance within such an unconventional structure was an additional triumph.
A Living Mechanism
Inside this mechanical serpent lies a movement as exotic as its exterior. The hour and minute indicators, cleverly integrated into revolving domes that resemble the snake’s eyes, are machined from solid aluminum—an ultra-lightweight solution requiring innovative milling techniques. At the heart of the beast, an oversized 14mm flying balance wheel pulsates like the Serpenti’s brain, suspended beneath a sculptural three-dimensional bridge. The power reserve indicator resides on the caseback, offering a glimpse into the watch’s 310 meticulously hand-finished components.
With MB&F’s dedication to artisanal craftsmanship, only six to eight of these extraordinary movements can be produced per month—ensuring each piece remains an ultra-rare collector’s item.
Automotive Aesthetics & Timeless Heritage
While unmistakably Serpenti in origin, the watch also draws from automotive design, a passion shared by both Buonamassa Stigliani and Büsser. From its sleek casework reminiscent of sports car body panels to the stepped sapphire crystal echoing louvered rear windows, the timepiece incorporates elements of high-performance automotive engineering. Even the crowns resemble miniature car wheels, while the movement’s architecture subtly mirrors an engine grille with BVLGARI’s signature hexagonal scale motif.
Exclusivity in Every Detail
Available in three distinct editions, each limited to only 33 pieces, the BVLGARI x MB&F Serpenti is offered in:
- Grade 5 titanium with blue hour and minute domes
- 18K rose gold with green hour and minute domes
- Black PVD-coated stainless steel with red hour and minute domes
With prices starting at CHF 132,000 (USD 148,000 / EUR 140,000) for the titanium and stainless steel versions and CHF 152,000 (USD 170,000 / EUR 161,000) for the gold variant, this limited-edition masterpiece is an invitation to own a timepiece that merges haute horlogerie with the essence of a timeless icon.
